Hook Community Primary School October 11th 2024

Dear Parents/guardians,

There has been a focus on professional learning for staff this week as we held an inset day on Wednesday. Our teaching staff in the lower school spent the day looking at excellent teaching and learning with the advisory team from Carmarthenshire Country Council, whilst support staff continued learning more about the Success @ Arithmetic Intervention. Mrs Makepeace travelled to Coastlands and Puncheston Schools to observe lessons and reflect upon the opportunities that we provide pupils at Hook.

Mobile Phones- Online Safety.

During the summer term. the Local Authority contacted all schools and Governing bodies asking them to review their Mobile Telephone Policy. In recent years, internet enabled mobile devices have caused a significant increase in incidents of online bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Gradually, device usage has become more popular in younger year groups and whereas previously primary schools had very few serious incidents related to devices, this has changed in recent years.

There is broad consensus amongst experts that the use of mobile telephones can be detrimental to child development. At a time when children are particularly anxious and parts of their brains are still developing, mobile telephones can exacerbate concerns and worries that pupils might have. Social Psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, said that the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone usage among adolescents are the twin sources of increased mental distress among teenagers.

During the next governing body meeting, I am going to be discussing this guidance with governors at Hook. If you would like to provide your opinion, please click on the click below.

Chess Information

Sports Fixtures

It has been another busy week of sports in school. On Friday pupils from both Hook and Johnston travelled to Gelliswick School for a friendly tournament. Almost fifty pupils came altogether and we had a fantastic morning of sport.

• URDD Rugby - 17th October
• Netball - Friday 18th October
• Village Schools Cross-Country - Wednesday 22nd October.

Harvest Festival and Christmas Dates

• Our harvest festival will be held on the morning of 15th October this year.
• Christmas Concerts will be held on: Morning of the 9th December; afternoon of 10th December and after school that day; afternoon of 11th December and after school.

Attendance:

• Attendance reward. Each week, we are going to be setting pupils the challenge of achieving 100% attendance, as a class, for the week. If a class achieves this milestone then we will provide a treat at the fire pit!

As ever, if there is anything that I can help with, my email address is Williamsr1688@hwbcymru.net

Kind regards,

Mr Williams.

Music Information

Pupils from years 2 to year 6 are given the opportunity to have small group music lessons with Mrs Wilkinson every Tuesday afternoon. Dosbarth Morlo and Dosbarth Ser Mor already receive 30 minute class music lessons which have kindly been funded by the FOHS. In addition to this Mrs Wilkinson is able to offer additional small group music instrumental lessons at a cost of £4 per week. If you would like your child to have additional music lessons then please call Mrs Milward to put your child’s name down and make termly payments.

Seren yr Wythnos